These 6 smart plugs are the best for monitoring energy usage in 2022
Eliminating energy waste is good for the environment and your wallet.
Now more than ever, it's important to use energy wisely, so we've compiled a list of the best energy monitoring smart plugs available right now. Smart plugs are the best and most convenient smart home accessories for controlling devices around your home. Most typically work with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa and can turn almost any lamp or small appliance into a smart device you can control with your phone or just your voice.
We've highlighted the best smart plugs that go the extra mile and offer energy monitoring features that let you track how much energy your favorite devices and appliances draw, so that you can make the best purchase decision for your household.
The best smart plugs will help cut down on your energy bills
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Mid-range power
Kasa/TP-Link's smart home products are super popular because they're affordable and designed to be simple to use. In fact, it's so easy to use that Amazon has added it to its Certified for Humans program. With the Smart Plug Mini, you can monitor your energy use and schedule devices to power on/off whenever you want. It also allows for group control and features a handy away mode for when you're on extended absence.
Light up your garden
Wyze Plug Outdoor is a two-outlet wi-fi smart plug with IP64 water resistance so you can use it outside. You can use one or both outlets for outdoor lighting, music, or even garden accessories like a water feature. Turn the outlets on or off with the press of a button if you're outside or in the app if you've already gone inside. With 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, you won't need a hub and your Wi-Fi signal should reach the backyard.
Compact and cheap
The Lenovo Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitor is a compact smart plug that lets you operate lights or appliances using an accompanying Lenovo Link Pro app or via Google Assistant and Alexa without needing a hub. From the app, you can monitor the energy usage from your plugged-in appliances in real-time. It has all the safety features you need to keep your family and home safe and is backed by a one-year warranty.
Double-duty
This smart plug offers two outlets, with a single "always on" outlet and three that can be individually controlled using the smartphone app or with Apple's Siri, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa. It uses the Satechi app for setup and real-time energy monitoring, and it leaves the second outlet space available for your other devices.
Touch and go
This Apple HomeKit-enabled smart plug from Eve not only works with your favorite smart assistant like Siri or through its app by connecting via Bluetooth, but you can even tap it to turn it on or off. With this smart plug, you can also track power consumption and the projected costs of your electricity use at home.
Bulk savings
The BN-Link Wi-Fi Heavy Duty Smart Plug comes in two, three, or four packs, making it easy to get your smart home connected in one go. Once installed and connected to your home Wi-Fi, you can use voice commands via Alexa or Google or the app to control your lights and appliances as well as monitor your power consumption.
These are your smartest buys for smart plugs
Are you dealing with rising energy costs for your home? Energy monitoring is a great way to test out what devices and appliances in your home are drawing more power while plugged in. By having a better idea of which things around your house are drawing more power, you can make sensible decisions that could end up saving you a ton of money on your power bill. Even if there are several other uses for smart plugs, conserving energy is one of the best ways a smart plug can pay for itself.
Our top recommendation is the Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring, which is a solid yet affordable pick that works smoothly with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa while also helping you monitor energy consumption.
The Wyze Plug Outdoor is great for those looking to boost their home's curb appeal. With scheduling, you can even set it to turn off late at night when no one is around to see your outdoor decoration. However, we wouldn't be doing right by our readers if we didn't mention recent security vulnerabilities in Wyze products. While those holes have since been patched, Wyze's handling of the situation wasn't great.
For a multi-plug option, we've got the Satechi Dual Smart Outlet with Real-Time Power Monitoring, which offers you the most flexibility, and the Eve Energy Smart Plug & Power Meter gives you multi-assistant capabilities with good old fashioned touch to tap functionality.
If you decide you want something simpler or just want to check out other options, there are plenty of other great smart plugs available, including outdoor smart Wi-FI plugs.
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Marc Lagace was an Apps and Games Editor at Android Central between 2016 and 2020. You can reach out to him on Twitter [@spacelagace.